An Overview of Worker's Compensation Benefits
If you have suffered harm as a result of working or work-related activity, the law protects your right to be compensated for your injury or illness. Through workers' compensation, an employee can obtain benefits for the following damages:
Medical Expenses
All medical services needed to cure or relieve the injury or illness must be compensated. This includes two physicians, surgeons, or hospitals, which the injured employee will choose, as well as any additional care providers to whom the employee is referred.
Rehabilitation
When applicable, the employer must also compensate an employee for physical, mental, or vocational rehabilitation.
Disability
This encompasses temporary total benefits, or TTD, for employees who need to take time off work in order to recuperate. In Illinois, you are entitled to receive 2/3 of your average weekly wage as long a physician is keeping you off of work.
Lump Sum Settlement
This is known as permanent partial disability, or PPD (for partial loss of use of the body) which is to compensate the employee for the disability associated with the injury. Most injuries qualify to receive a lump sum settlement even if you are not sure if you have a permanent disability associated with your injury.
Wage Loss Differential
This compensates the employee if the employee is incapable of returning to his or her previous occupation but can earn less money performing another job. These benefits can be for life or settled in a lump sum.
Permanent Total Disability
This is to compensate the employee for complete disability to perform any job. These benefits can be for life or settled in a lump sum.
Survivor's Benefits
These are benefits paid to the spouse and minor-aged children of an employee who has died on the job.
In Illinois, the exclusive remedy against your employer is the filing of a Workers’ Compensation claim. If a third party can be held responsible or partially responsible for your injuries, however, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against them. For instance, if your injury was caused by faulty equipment, the manufacturer may be held liable.
Workers' compensation is a no-fault system, meaning that you do not have to prove negligence on the part of your employer in order to get your benefits. If you have been denied benefits for any reason, or if your benefit payments have been delayed, you should contact an injury attorney right away. Workers' compensation is determined at the state level, and bringing a claim to recover your rightful benefits requires the expertise of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Are you in need of a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area to represent you in your workers' compensation case? Our personal injury attorneys have more than 17 years' experience handling personal injury cases in Chicago. To set up a free initial consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys, call us today at (312) 983-6193.
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.
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